Securing device for an actuating lever

ABSTRACT

A device for securing an actuating lever of a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine to a support element. The actuating lever having a recess and protrusion, to accept a spherical end of the support element, the securing device seated on an upper portion of the protrusion and having side walls seated in an undercut of the support element, for securing the support element with the actuating lever. The securing device having a top bifurcated element, bottom perforated element and a connecting element connecting the top and bottom elements together.

The present invention relates to a securing device for an actuating lever in a valve control mechanism for an internal combustion engine.

BACKGROUND

Securing devices for actuating levers in valve control mechanisms for internal combustion engines are known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,280 discloses a generally U-shaped retention clip that can be used for securing an actuating lever to a support member. U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,280 is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Securing devices of this type are utilized, mainly, to provide a unitary subassembly of the actuating lever and support member, for assembly into a valvetrain. By providing such a subassembly, extra components and orientation errors between the components may be avoided in a vehicle assembly environment. In addition, securing the actuating lever and support member together with a securing device aids in ease of shipping.

With smaller packaging spaces and increased components in the valvetrain of an internal combustion engine, actuating levers must become smaller and narrower. Securing devices must, therefore, accommodate for smaller package sizes. Particularly where the actuating lever has additional spacial limitations, such as ball socket recesses or lubrication spray holes, alternative clip configurations are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience and descriptive purposes only, and is not intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims. The terminology includes the words specifically noted, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

The present invention relates to a securing device for securing an actuating lever and support member of a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally C-shaped securing device with an open slotted end, having a wide cross sectional area, particularly for narrow actuating levers utilizing oil spray bores.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally C-shaped securing device, having a plastically deformed retention feature in the area of an oil spray bore, or other contour of an actuating lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and advantages of the embodiments described herein, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of at least one example embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. A brief description of those drawings now follows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of actuating level and securing device assembly according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the actuating lever and securing device assembly of FIG. 1, taken along line A-A.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the securing device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the securing device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the securing device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Identically labeled elements appearing in different ones of the figures refer to the same elements but may not be referenced in the description for all figures. The exemplification set out herein illustrates at least one embodiment, in at least one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any manner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of actuating lever 20, with securing device 1 assembled in position thereon. Actuating lever 20 comprises a support member end 30 and an actuating end 40, with side walls 26 connecting the two ends, and a roller 28 centrally located between the two ends. The support member end 30 having side walls 26 horizontally separated by a land area 23, a concave recess 24 on a bottom surface 31 (see FIG. 2) for receiving a support member 29 (see FIG. 2) and a complimentary convex protrusion 25 on a top surface 32. In this embodiment, the convex protrusion includes a lubrication port or spray hole 27 directed towards the roller 28. Securing device 1 is in assembled position, with arms 6 seated on and around protrusion 25, with grooves 8 of arms 6 providing addition retention against slip from a surface of protrusion 25. Arms 6 are seated on protrusion 25 such that slot 7 is in line with lubrication port 27, so that lubrication sprayed from spray hole 27 is not obstructed.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of actuating lever 20 and securing device 1 assembled. As described in FIG. 1, securing device 1 is assembled onto and around supporting member end 3. Also shown are side wall 26, roller 28, concave recess 24, support member 29, convex protrusion 25, and spray hole 27.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of securing device 1 according to one example embodiment of the invention. Securing device 1 comprises a single C-shaped unit, having a top piece 2, bottom piece 3 and a connecting portion 4. Top piece 2 is divided into two arms 6, by slot 7, creating cavity 9, such that top piece 2 may nest onto protrusion 25 of associated actuating lever 20 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment each of arms 6 include a plastically deformed v- or u-shaped groove 8 adjacent slot 7. As can be better seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, grooves 8 provide retention for securing device 1, preventing axial disassembly of securing device 1 from actuating lever 20, by contacting a surface of protrusion 25 if movement occurs. Bottom piece 3 is perforated by cavity 10, such that either a projection or recess located on an associated actuating lever 20 (see FIG. 2) may be accessed. In this embodiment, securing device side walls 5 are arranged on opposite sides of recess 24, and engage undercut 22 of support member 29. In this manner securing device 1 secures support member 29 with actuating lever 20, such that support member 29 and actuating lever 20 may be transported and assembled into an associated valvetrain of an internal combustion engine as a unit. In this embodiment connecting portion 4 is a solid member connecting an end portion A of top piece 2 to an end portion B of bottom piece 3. In another embodiment, connecting portion 4 can also be made up of two parallel strips, each connecting end portion A of top piece 2 to an end portion B of bottom piece 3.

FIG. 4 is a top view of securing device 1 of FIG. 3, comprising the same features including arms 6, slot 7, grooves 8, top piece 2, and bottom piece 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of securing device 1 of FIG. 3, comprising top piece 2, bottom piece 3, connecting portion 4, and grooves 8.

FIG. 6 is a top view of actuating lever 20 with securing device 1 assembled thereon. As can be more clearly seen in FIG. 2, arms 6 of securing device 1, seat on an upper portion of protrusion 25. By seating on an upper portion of protrusion 25, a smaller width or radius W of protrusion 25 is engaged, and securing device 1 can become narrower than securing devices known in the art.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of actuating lever 20, showing recess 24, bottom piece 3 of securing device 1 and side walls 5 arranged on opposite sides of recess 24.

In the foregoing description, example embodiments are described. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures illustrated in the attachments, which highlight the functionality and advantages of the example embodiments, are presented for example purposes only. The architecture or construction of example embodiments described herein is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.

Although example embodiments have been described herein, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Thus, the present example embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1 Securing Device -   2 Top Piece -   3 Bottom Piece -   4 Connecting Portion -   5 Securing Device Side Walls -   6 Arms -   7 Slots -   8 Groove -   9 Cavity -   10 Cavity -   20 Actuating Lever -   22 Support Member Undercut -   23 Land Area -   24 Concave Recess -   25 Convex Protrusion -   26 Side Walls -   27 Side Walls -   28 Roller -   29 Support Member -   30 Support Member End -   31 Bottom Surface -   32 Top Surface -   40 Actuating End -   A End Portion of Top Piece -   B End Portion of Bottom Piece -   W Width of Protrusion 

What we claim is:
 1. A actuating lever assembly for a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine comprising; a support member; comprising a spherical end; an undercut located below the spherical end; an actuating lever comprising; an actuating end; a support member end; a concave recess in a bottom surface of the support member end for receiving an end of the support element; and a convex protrusion extending from a top surface of the support member end; a securing device comprising; a top bifurcated piece; a bottom piece; a connecting member for connecting the top and bottom pieces; the top bifurcated piece having at least two arms on opposing sides of the top piece, extending perpendicularly from the connecting member and the arms separated by a slot on the opposite axial end of the connecting member; the bottom piece having a cavity with two side walls arranged on opposite ends of the concave recess of the actuating lever; and the securing device secured to the actuating lever, with the arms seated on an upper portion of the protrusion, with the slot located toward the actuating end of the actuating lever, and the side walls of the bottom piece received in the undercut of the support member.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the arms include plastically deformed grooves extending toward a top surface of the actuating lever, located on an end opposite the connecting member.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the protrusion includes a spray hole directed towards the actuating end of the actuating lever.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein, the slot of the securing device is in line with the spray hole.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the securing device is formed from sheet metal.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the securing device is formed from a plastic material.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the securing device is made from wire.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the securing device is C-shaped.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein, the arms are seated above the top 1/3 of the protrusion.
 10. A securing device for securing a support element to an actuating lever of a valvetrain of an internal combustion engine comprising; a top bifurcated element; a bottom element; a connecting element joining the top and bottom elements; the top bifurcated element having two arms extending perpendicularly from the connecting element, and at least one arm having a groove at an opposite end from the connecting element; and the bottom element having a cavity in a center portion for receiving and retaining a support element.
 11. The securing device of claim 10, wherein, the device is formed of sheet metal.
 12. The securing device of claim 10, wherein, the device is formed of wire.
 13. The securing device of claim 10, wherein, the device is formed of plastic.
 14. The securing device of claim 10, wherein, the device is C-shaped. 